[ColaCajun]

Jmu will not be the last to leave IMO.

Correct, and honestly, I get the feeling the next domino could fall any day. Articles like this are reactionary, with very little strategic thinking. We shouldn’t be focused on adding anyone right now. We should be worried about losing a group from the East—App State, Marshall, ODU, Georgia State, Georgia Southern or Coastal—potentially Liberty in a move to the PAC. As crazy as that sounds, it wouldn’t shock me in the least.

If that happens, we’re in big trouble. It will be the PAC, AAC and MWC competing for the G6’s CFP spot, while the SBC, CUSA and MAC are left competing for meaningless bowl games. That’s the scenario we should be talking about.

[Headcase33]

AAC or PAC is where we need to be since we wont get a P4 invite.

[crazycajun]

AAC or PAC is where we need to be since we wont get a P4 invite.

we don’t fit the profile for either league

[Headcase33]

we don’t fit the profile for either league

I agree, go look at the new post I just put up. Sums it up completly.

[Turbine]

It will be interesting.

It always is

[Ragin9221]

I really like adding Ohio!! I really think its an excellent plan

[CallMeJay]

The Sun Belt just concluded their meetings and the only thing on the table was the exit fee increase. There was virtually no discussion on adding a school...or two...or three. With JMU possibly not leaving until 2028 unless they negotiate some bucks to move it up, there really isn't a hurry.

The PAC may make a move at some point. But I'm hearing that may be three or more years away. I'm not worried about the rest of the eastern schools at this time.

The American isn't done adding, I don't think. If, as rumored, Miami (OH) is a true candidate, that is going to leave the MAC vulnerable to further poaching and might put Ohio U in play as a replacement for JMU. That would certainly appease ODU and Marshall and maybe App as well.

Brett McMurphy (who people make fun of but he's right more than he's wrong), says the SBC may be looking at ECU, Charlotte, Middle, Western and Delaware. I have no idea where he's getting ECU from. The American has an agreement for an amount of money that each school must spend on NIL/RevShare. Charlotte is not meeting those requirements, which could put them in play (theoretically, they could be asked to leave). Charlotte's football is hot garbage, but their basketball has had some success and their baseball would certainly be an upgrade over JMU in that regard.

I'm not hearing Jacksonville State as a possibility. And, that's too bad. I'm sure USA and Troy wouldn't like it, but they wouldn't have to play them all the time if JSU is in the East. They're just 90 minutes from Atlanta. And, they are due south from MTSU and WKU if the league wants to add three. I don't know anything I'm just thinking out loud like everyone else.

None of what I've said will probably happen. But I think there's still plenty of realignment to come.

[Louisiana84]

I don't make fun of Brett McMurphy, especially with his connections. Keith Gill did state during his halftime interview that all possibilities are on the table, including going to 16 teams. As long as travel expenses are what they are, it is a possibility that any number of universities, and there might be some surprising names among them, could consider a move to a conference with a smaller footprint. Who knows?

Most of the G6 schools have budgets that are roughly the same, and expenses drive decisions. I don't think conference affiliation is as important as budget size. And budget size does not need to determine conference membership anymore. It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to figure out that television revenue for G6 schools isn't appreciably changing come 2030. Revenue being flat equals budget cuts. Bottom line? If you aren't one of the 24 in the playoff, you're a nobody. And the only thing that will ever change that is more money.

[Turbine]

If you think you have a good product, lower the exit fee.

[ColaCajun]

The Sun Belt just concluded their meetings and the only thing on the table was the exit fee increase. There was virtually no discussion on adding a school...or two...or three. With JMU possibly not leaving until 2028 unless they negotiate some bucks to move it up, there really isn't a hurry.

The PAC may make a move at some point. But I'm hearing that may be three or more years away. I'm not worried about the rest of the eastern schools at this time.

The American isn't done adding, I don't think. If, as rumored, Miami (OH) is a true candidate, that is going to leave the MAC vulnerable to further poaching and might put Ohio U in play as a replacement for JMU. That would certainly appease ODU and Marshall and maybe App as well.

Brett McMurphy (who people make fun of but he's right more than he's wrong), says the SBC may be looking at ECU, Charlotte, Middle, Western and Delaware. I have no idea where he's getting ECU from. The American has an agreement for an amount of money that each school must spend on NIL/RevShare. Charlotte is not meeting those requirements, which could put them in play (theoretically, they could be asked to leave). Charlotte's football is hot garbage, but their basketball has had some success and their baseball would certainly be an upgrade over JMU in that regard.

I'm not hearing Jacksonville State as a possibility. And, that's too bad. I'm sure USA and Troy wouldn't like it, but they wouldn't have to play them all the time if JSU is in the East. They're just 90 minutes from Atlanta. And, they are due south from MTSU and WKU if the league wants to add three. I don't know anything I'm just thinking out loud like everyone else.

None of what I've said will probably happen. But I think there's still plenty of realignment to come.

Why? Because Jacksonville State is within driving distance?

This “regional schools” mentality being our biggest priority really ticks me off. We keep applying the SEC model of regional rivalries to our situation as though geography gives us the same advantages. It doesn’t. Does that mean regional rivalries have no value? Of course not. In an ideal world, leagues outside the P4 would be regional. UL, Tulane, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, UAB, Southern Miss, Texas State, UTSA, Rice, North Texas, Troy, South Alabama, and Arkansas State would make an incredible league for schools and fans. But that isn’t the world we live in. Resources, institutional egos, and media perception shape conference membership. I hate it, but UL and its fanbase have to stop acting like that reality will suddenly change. We shouldn’t discount our university’s value or limit its ambitions just because another school happens to be nearby. We have to pursue what best serves our university, students, alumni, student-athletes, and fans.

And yes, I fully understand our budget limitations. From what I’ve read and followed, UL made progress toward stabilizing its finances in FY26. If the administration has overstated that progress, then we’re being gaslighted by the very people asking for our trust and support. But if those improvements are real, how are we building on them? Are we developing a new university strategic plan? Where does the athletics leadership search stand? Are interviews happening? Is a professional search firm involved? These are fair questions about where we’re headed.

We have plenty of work to do on our own house before moving into another neighborhood. But that work needs a destination. We can’t keep allowing our current circumstances to define our long-term potential. Regional rivalries are great for college sports, but proximity should carry only so much weight. Those other schools are in different conferences because geography wasn’t their only consideration. UL deserves that same approach. Who helps us grow our audience, strengthen our national reputation, and create opportunities beyond our existing footprint?

As someone living several states away, it’s frustrating to constantly explain the difference between UL and ULM to coworkers and friends. That may not resonate with everyone back home, but it shapes how I see this. Coach Robe said, “Be a hiker, not a camper.” We can appreciate regional rivalries and still expect UL to pursue something greater. But if we keep making familiarity and convenience our highest priorities, we’re choosing the campsite before we’ve even considered how far we could climb.

[ULGrad@Hou]

UL just sits around and rots.

[Turbine]

While not as bad as the WAC, the SubBelt will never overcome its reputation for losing 20 members over time.

[Duckster]

Many years ago about the time CUSA was poaching the SBC of WKY, MTSU, FAU, FIU, and UNT Jay posted something about conference realignment that stuck with me. It was something along the lines of "who do you want to be associated with" if you were in position to jump the fence to a new conference. Dozens of threads back then about it as the conversation continues today. Will state that lotech is not a good partner. In football, outside of So. Miss & Ark St. on the schedule the other SBC schools are just there. The AC entrance fees are astronomical, doesn't seem like a viable option. At least not while Tulane is in the AC. That only leaves the restructured PAC as a potential growth option. We should kick the tires on the PAC if can get USM and Ark St. approach with us. Louisiana needs growth and needs to be aggressively pursuing what is possible.